Village of Bald Head Island
Council Meeting
September 16, 2005
Councilmembers Present: Mayor Larry Lammert and Councilors Gene Douglas and
John Pitera.
Councilmembers Absent: Mayor Pro Tempore Andy Sayre and Councilor Art Morris
Staff Present: Village Manager Jon Middleton, Police Chief Richard Herring, Public
Works Director Ben Liddle, Planning Director/Assistant Village Manager Chris McCall,
Building Inspector Stephen Boyett, Village Attorney Charles Baldwin and Village Clerk
Amy Candler recording the meeting.
Others Present: Bald Head Island Limited Director of Communications Joyce Fulton,
Bald Head Island Director of Operations Woody Fulton, Bald Head Island Association
Manager Joey Hill and Hillary Snow with the State Port Pilot.
Citizens Present: Bob and Judy Porter, Bob Flynn, Juanita Roushdy, Joe Elrod, Bill and
Billie Jean Berne and Marianne Link.
1. Call to Order/Approval of Agenda Mayor Lammert
Mayor Lammert called the September 16, 2005 Council meeting to order at 3:00
p.m. Councilor Pitera made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. In a voice vote
with Mayor Pro Tempore Sayre and Councilor Morris being absent, all voted in favor.
(Motion carried 3-0)
2. Consent Agenda
2.1 Approval of Minutes August 19, 2005, Regular Meeting
August 19, 2005, Worksession Meeting
Mayor Lammert explained that the consent agenda consisted of the minutes of the
August 19, 2005 Regular and Work Session Meetings. With no changes to the minutes,
Councilor Pitera made a motion to approve the consent agenda. In a voice vote, with
Mayor Pro Tempore Sayre and Councilor Morris being absent, all voted in favor.
(Motion carried 3-0)
3. Old Business
3.1 A Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Assets of Bald Head Island
Utilities, Inc.
Councilor Douglas made a motion to approve the Resolution Authorizing the
Purchase of Assets of Bald Head Island Utilities. Mayor Lammert advised that Mayor
Pro Tempore Sayre and Councilor Morris, even though absent from the meeting, have
both agreed to the Asset Purchase Agreement with Bald Head Island Utilities. He further
advised that on January 19th there was a Letter of Intent signed between the Village and
Bald Head Island Utilities. On September 2nd the Asset Purchase Agreement was signed
by all parties and will be filed with the Utilities Commission today. Mayor Lammert
continued stating that the Request for Proposals for the financing of the Utility Company
will be sent to the Banks on October 3rd, opened on October 18th and therefore come
before Council for approval of the financing at the October 21st Council Meeting. On
November 4th all of the documentation associated with the purchase will be delivered to
Village of Bald Head Island
Minutes, September 16, 2005
Page 2 of 6
the Local Government Commission (LGC) and ruled upon by the LGC on December 6th.
At the December 9th Village Council Meeting, the Council will approve the purchase and
close the deal on December 15th. Mayor Lammert explained that from now until the
closing date, the Village will be working with Bald Head Island Utilities to transfer
permits as well as compiling additional documentation needed for the closing. In a voice
vote, with Mayor Pro Tempore Sayre and Councilor Morris being absent, all voted in
favor. (Motion carried 3-0)
3.2 An Update on Process and Projected Timeline of the Purchase of Bald
Head Island Utilities, Inc.
Mayor Lammert completed the timeline of the purchase of Bald Head Island
Utilities, Inc. while discussing the Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Assets.
4. New Business
4.1 Financial Statements—August, 2005
In the absence of Ms. Boyd, Mr. Middleton reported that the month of August
resulted in normal operating expenses. He advised that the major expenses were in
regard to the Creek Dredging Project as well as legal fees and engineering services
associated with beach stabilization. He further advised that the majority of the revenues
consisted of Accommodation Tax, Vehicle Permit Fees/Renewals and Intergovernmental
Funds.
4.2 First Reading and set Public Hearing Date
An Ordinance of the Village of Bald Head Island to Amend the Dune Protection
Ordinance to Declare Beach Vitex (Vitex Rotundifolia) a Highly Invasive Plant and
therefore a Public Nuisance and make it Unlawful to Plant Beach Vitex on Bald Head
Island and Outlining a Program of Eradication and Restoration
Councilor Douglas explained that Beach Vitex is a highly invasive plant and
dangers the native vegetation which exists on the island dunes. He advised that Beach
Vitex first became apparent on the South Carolina coastline at Debidue Beach. At this
time a task force was formed to eradicate the plant species and prohibit the planting of
this species in South Carolina. Since that time, North Carolina has followed suit and is in
the process of forming our own task force. Councilor Douglas explained that David
Nash has already visited the Island and along with Maureen Dewire from the
Conservancy discovered thirty-three (33) different sites where Beach Vitex is located,
three (3) sites of which has excreted over the dunes. Councilor Douglas further explained
that the Village Council has agreed to take the first steps of prohibiting this plant from the
Island by considering an Ordinance to declare the plant invasive and laying out the
process for eradication. Mr. Elrod asked if the Village is planning to fund the eradication
process for private property owners. Councilor Douglas advised that Clemson University
is currently researching methods of eradication of the Beach Vitex plant. It has been
estimated that the cost of eradication is $5000 per acre. Councilor Douglas emphasized
Village of Bald Head Island
Minutes, September 16, 2005
Page 3 of 6
that the Village is applying for grants to help fund the eradication process. Councilor
Douglas announced that David Nash with the New Hanover County Cooperative
Extension Service will be at the October 21st Regular Council Meeting to discuss the
negative impact of the Beach Vitex plant. Mayor Lammert advised that the second
reading and public hearing is scheduled of the October 21st Council Meeting.
5. Committee Reports
5.1 Beach Anne Kane
There was no report from the Beach Committee at this time.
5.2 Finance John Knott
There was no report from the Finance Committee at this time.
5.3 Public Safety Bob Liesegang
There was no report from the Public Safety Committee at this time.
5.4 Public Works Joe Ridgeway
In the absence of Mr. Ridgeway, Mr. Liddle reported that the Public Works
Committee is continuing to discuss the cost of alternate options for recycling.
5.5 Transportation Wayne Lambert
In the absence of Mr. Lambert, Councilor Pitera reported that there was not a
quorum present at the Transportation Committee meeting but the Village Council
appointed Don Tillman and Ann Cary Hevener to the Committee at today’s Work
Session Meeting.
6. Monthly Reports
6.1 Manager’s Report Manager Middleton
Mr. Middleton thanked everyone for their help during Hurricane Ophelia. He
advised that the State of Emergency has been lifted as of 12:00 p.m. today and the water
has now been deemed safe for drinking without boiling. He advised that there were a
hand-full of houses that had flooding and some that the sewer had to be turned off. The
houses without sewer service are being monitored and when the water level returns to
normal the sewer service will be restored. Mr. Middleton emphasized that there are
numerous places with standing water which will become a haven for mosquitoes. He
advised the citizens to call the Public Works Department and report the standing water
and the Department will place mosquito brisquettes in them.
Mr. Middleton reported that the Village is moving forward with the repairs to the
portion of the roof that is damaged at Village Hall. He advised that the contract has been
awarded and the repairs will begin in approximately two (2) weeks.
Mr. Middleton reported that he met with the engineers and the contractors
regarding the expansion to the Public Works Department. He advised that there had been
some difference of opinions but things haven been agreed upon and the beginning stages
of the construction should begin in the near future.
Mr. Middleton reported that Ms. Hardee submitted a grant application to aid in
the funding of the Creek Dredging Project. After a resubmitted application was filed the
Village of Bald Head Island
Minutes, September 16, 2005
Page 4 of 6
Village has received word that the grant has been recommended for the approval of
$286,000. A final decision regarding the grant should be received in the near future.
Mr. Middleton reported that the deer camera study has been temporarily put on
hold due to Hurricane Ophelia. He advised that a final report should be in the hands of
the Village by the first or second week of October.
At this time Mr. Middleton recognized the Public Works Director, Ben Liddle for
his five (5) years of service with the Village. He advised that Mr. Liddle came to the
Village as a Maintenance Worker and has moved up to Director of his Department within
his five (5) year tenure.
6.2 Police Department Chief Herring
Chief Herring thanked everyone for their assistance during Hurricane Ophelia.
He advised that the month of August showed no major problems on the Island except for
the usual traffic violations. He commended Officers Anderson and Ludlum for
volunteering to stay on the Island during the Hurricane and thanked everyone for obeying
the curfews set forth by the Village.
6.3 Fire/EMS Department Chief Munna
Mayor Lammert advised that Chief Munna is currently representing the Village at
a meeting at Brunswick County with the Governor regarding the Hurricane. He thanked
Chief Munna for remaining on the Island during the Hurricane and commended him for a
job well done.
Mayor Lammert commended all of the Village Staff, Volunteers and Citizens for
their work and assistance during Hurricane Ophelia. He advised that within thirty-six
(36) hours of the storm, the Village had renewed all services to and from the Island and
felt everyone involved did a wonderful job.
7. Comments, Reports and Questions
7.1 Citizens
Mr. Fulton commented that the ferry system returned to a normal schedule to all
guest and visitors at 12:00 p.m. today. He advised that the barge ran all day and the
contractor ferry also returned to normal service at noon. Mr. Fulton further advised that
the boiling water notice was also discontinued this morning at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Elrod asked for the reasoning behind the water supply failure on the Island
during the storm. Mr. Fulton answered that the generators that run the Utility Company
were checked on Monday and would not start. At that time, the attempt was made to
repair them. The attempt was unsuccessful. Mr. Fulton confirmed that the generators
would not have made a difference at the time the power was lost to the Island. When
there is a power outage to the Island, the water is automatically shut down due to the
grinder pumps. Mr. Elrod then complained that the Village website was somewhat
Village of Bald Head Island
Minutes, September 16, 2005
Page 5 of 6
inoperable during the Hurricane. He advised that the website is where he went for
updates during the power outage. Mr. Middleton advised that there were some problems
with the website in the beginning but the discrepancies were corrected. He further
advised that the Village website has been under construction for sometime now but
hopefully before the next Hurricane the site will be up and running.
Ms. Roushdy emphasized that she is very grateful for the entire Village Staff for
the extra hours and work that they put in during the Hurricane. She advised that there
seemed to be some criticism from visitors that opted to stay on the Island but she is most
appreciative for the work. Ms. Roushdy also emphasized the importance of maintaining
an old rotary dial phone for situation that come up when there will be possible power
outages.
Ms. Link thanked the Staff and Volunteers for the work that was done during
Hurricane Ophelia.
7.2 Bald Head Island Association—Bob Porter President
Mr. Porter thanked the Village Staff and Council for the work and services that
was upheld during Hurricane Ophelia.
Ms. Hill echoed his appreciation and added that she was able to keep the
Association website update due to the constant contact she had with the Village Staff.
7.3 Bald Head Island, Ltd.—Joyce Fulton
Ms. Fulton update the citizens on the status of the Island facilities. She advised
that the Market reopened this morning at 9:00 a.m., the River Pilot will reopen on
Monday and Eb and Flo’s will open tonight.
7.4 Mayor and Council
Mayor Lammert thanked the Staff, Volunteers and Council for the hard work they
preformed during the storm. He advised that everything is back in full operation only
thirty-six (36) hours after the Hurricane and all involved should be highly commended.
8. Adjourn
With no additional items of discussion, Mayor Lammert entertained a motion to
adjourn the September 16, 2005 Village Council Meeting. Councilor Pitera made the
motion to adjourn. In a voice vote, with Mayor Pro Tempore Sayre and Councilor Morris
being absent, all voted in favor. (Motion carried 3-0)
The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
Village of Bald Head Island
Minutes, September 16, 2005
Page 6 of 6
Approved:
____________________________________
Larry Lammert, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Amy R. Candler, Village Clerk